Adjustable figure toy having improved armature means



June 1957 J. w. RYAN ETAL ADJUSTABLE FIGURE TOY HAVING IMPROVED ARMATUREMEANS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 21, 1966 GILL! 1/ 8 1. e W a 1,, 1 W MM i N d f m l MA) N 0 2 M 1.1 M F z m z 0 I? jrromvrrs June 20, 1967 J.w. RYAN ETAL 3,325,939

ADJUSTABLE FIGURE TOY HAVING IMPROVED AHMATURE MEANS Filed Nov. 2], 19662 Sheets-$heet 2 i 0i 9 Fd. A10

A l/Hawaii JZ/M/ 0 km Anz/w 004w United States Patent Cflfice 3,3253%Patented June 29, 1967 3,325,939 ADJUSTABLE FIGURE T? HAVING EMPROVEDARMATURE MEANS John W. Ryan, Bel-Air, and Ralph Dunn, Los Angeles,

Calif., assignors to Mattel, End, a corporation of California Fiied Nov.21, 1966, Ser. No. 595,846 8 Ciaims. (Ci. 46-156) ABSTRACT 0F THEDISCLGSURE A simulated spaceman doll has a soft, pliable body supportedby a soft wire armature which is encompassed by rigid stiffenersembedded in the limbs of the doll between its joints and in its body forpreventing bending of the limbs and body between the joints. Thestiffeners have a non-cylindrical shape and the portions of the wireswhich are encompassed by the stifleners are flattened to anon-cylindrical shape for preventing relative rotation between the limbsof the toy and the stifleners and between the stiifeners and the wires,respectively.

The present invention relates to a new and useful pliable figure toyand, more particularly, to a toy of the type disclosed in United StatesPatent No. 1,189,585, which includes improved armature means forsupporting the toy in various bent and twisted positions.

The play value of certain prior art figure toys is enhanced by makingthem of a soft, flexible material, such as rubber or soft plastic, sothat the toy may be bent into different shapes. While generallysatisfactory, such toys are subject to the disadvantage that they haveno inherent ability to retain themselves in diflerent positions againstthe resiliency of the material forming the toy.

This disadvantage may be overcome to a large extent by embedding aflexible, non-resilient metal armature in the toy for retaining the toyin bent positions. Although such armatures will overcome thedisadvantage associated with flexible toys which would not retainthemselves in different positions, the armatures introduce an additionaldisadvantage. This disadvantage resides in the fact that unwantedbending will often be imparted to a limb of the toy when a child-userattempts to bend the limb at a joint.

This disadvantage may be overcome to a large extent by the dummy modelshown in U.S. Patent No. 1,189, 585, wherein a flexible, non-resilientarmature is encompassed by soldered wire coils between the elbow, shoulder, thigh and knee joints for rendering the armature rigid betweenthese joints.

While generally satisfactory, this type of armature has thedisadvantages that the Wire coils add to the first cost of the productin an amount making such an armature impractical for use in aninexpensive toy and that neither the wire coils nor the portions of thearmature between the coils resists relative rotation between thearmature and the material in which it is embedded.

Summary 0 the invention In view of the foregoing factors and conditionscharacteristic of flexible figure toys having flexible, non-resilientarmatures embedded therein, it is a primary object of the presentinvention to provide a new and useful pliable figure toy not subject tothe disadvantages enumerated above and having an improved armature meansfor supporting the toy in various bent and twisted positions.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a toy of the typedescribed having soft wire armature means embedded in the limbs of thetoy for maintaining them in bent positions only at the joints and rigid,non-rotatable stiffener means embedded in the toy between the joints forpreventing bending and twisting of the limbs between the joints.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an armaturemeans for a figure toy of the type described Which includes a neck postfor mounting a head on the toy.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a pliable figuretoy which simulates a space man in a space suit and which includessimulated, accordion-type pleats at the shoulder, elbow, hip and kneejoints in combination with an armature means of the present invention.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide anarmature means for a figure toy of the type described which is providedwith unitary appendages for the toy.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a figure toyof the type described having means provided in the feet of the toy forretaining the toy in position on a base member.

According to the present invention, a pliable figure toy is providedwith an improved armature means for maintaining the toy in various bentpositions while preventing unwanted bending and twisting ofpredetermined portions of the toy. The toy may be molded from a suitablesoft, pliable plastic material, such as polyvinyl chloride, in a shapewhich simulates a space man wearing a space suit.

The toy is provided with simulated accordion-type pleats at theshoulder, elbow, hip and knee joints to magnify the space man simulationand facilitate bending the limbs of the toy at its joints. The armaturemeans includes elongated, soft wires which are embedded in the jointsand which are encompassed by rigid stiffeners embedded in the limbsbetween the joints and in the body of the toy for preventing bending ofthe limbs between the joints. The stiffeners have a noncylindrical shapeand the portions of the wires which are encompassed by the stiifenersare flattened to a non-cylindrical shape for preventing relativerotation between the limbs of the toy and the stiifeners and between thestitfeners and the wires, respectively.

The armature means also includes a permanent magnet which is embedded ineach foot for retaining the toy in an erect position on a magnetizablebase member. A suitable cord may be attached to the base member forpulling the toy over a suitable surface.

In a modified form of the toy, each foot simulates a space mans boot, isformed integrally with the armature and is shaped to include an annularflange engageable with associated groove means provided on the basemember. The armature is also provided with a neck post for supporting aseparate head on the toy.

The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel areset forth with particularity in the appended claims. The presentinvention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, togetherwith further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood byreference to the following description, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer to likeelements in the several views.

Brief description of the drawings FIGURE 1 is a front elevational viewof a figure toy of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a front elevational view, with parts shown in cross-section,of an armature means shown in phantom in FIG. 1;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view taken along line 33 ofFIG. 1;

FIGURE 4 is a partial, elevational view of the figure toy of FIG. 1showing one of the limbs thereof in two different positions;

FIGURE 5 is a front elevational view, with parts broken away to showinternal construction, of a modified form of a figure toy of the presentinvention;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged, partial cross-sectional view taken along line6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged, partial cross-sectional view taken along line77 of FIG. 5;

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged, partial cross-sectional view taken along line8-8 of FIG. 5; and

FIGURE 9 is a partial, cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIG.5 with the head of the toy removed.

Description of the preferred embodiment Referring again to the drawingsand, more particularly, to FIGS. 1-4, a pliable figure toy of thepresent invention, generally designated 10, includes a head 12, a neck14, a chest 16, a trunk 13, a pair of legs 20, 22 and a pair of arms 24,26. Each arm 24, 26 includes a hand 28, a forearm 30, an elbow joint 32and an upper arm 34 and is connected to the chest 16 by a shoulder-joint36.

Each leg 20, 22 includes a foot 38, a lower leg portion 40, a knee joint42, an upper leg portion 44 and a hip joint 46.

The toy also includes an armature means 50 which may be embedded in thetop 10 by positioning the armature means 50 in a suitable mold beforemolding the toy 10 therein by conventional injection molding techniquesor the like. The armature means 50 includes a substantially T-shapedchest plate 52 which is embedded in the chest 16 and which includes adepending stem portion 54 and a cross bar portion 56. The cross barportion 56 includes a first end 58 and a second end 60* which arepositioned adjacent associated shoulder joints 36 and is provided with achannel 62 extending through the ends 58 and 60 for receiving associatedends 64 of a pair of soft, wire, non-resilient armatures 66. Onearmature 66 is embedded in the arm 24 and the other armature 66 isembedded in the arm 26 constituting support means therefor. Eacharmature 66 extends from an associated hand 28 to the chest plate.52 andincludes a bendable elbow portion 68 and a bendable shoulder portion 69for retaining associated arms 24, 26 in bent positions at the elbowjoints 32 and the shoulder joints 36, respectively. Unwanted bending ofthe upper arms 34 and the forearms 30 is prevented by an associatedupper, rigid member 70 and a lower, rigid member 72, respectively. Themembers 70 and 72 may be made from any suitable rigid plastic materialwhich may be bonded to the armatures 66 before the armature means 50 isplaced in a mold (not shown).

The armature means 50 also includes a pair of soft, wire, non-resilientarmature members 74, each of which includes an upper end 76 and a lowerend 78. The upper ends 76 are embedded in the stern portion 54 of thechest plate 52 and extend angularly, downwardly therefrom through thelower portion of the chest 16, the trunk 18 and associated legs 20, 22with the lower ends 78 being embedded in an associated foot 38. Eacharmature member 74 also includes an upper, rigid member 80 and a lower,rigid member 82 and a rigid spherical member 84 which are embedded in anassociated upper leg portion 44, a lower leg portion 40 and a footportion 38, respectively, for preventing unwanted bending thereof. Themembers 80, 82 and 84 may be made from a suitable rigid plastic materialwhich is bonded to associated armature member 74 before the armaturemeans 60 is positioned within a mold (not shown). The armature members66 and 74 may be made from a suitable soft, nonresilient wire, such ascopper or annealed iron.

The toy 10 also includes a base member 86 made from a suitablemagnetizable material and simulating a space sled which may be pulledover a suitable surface by a cord 88 attached to the base member 86. Thefigure toy 10 may be maintained in position on the base member 86 by apair of magnets 90, each of which is embedded in a foot 38.

The joints 32, 36, 42 and 46 are each formed integrally with theassociated portions of the toy 10 during the molding operation and areeach provided with simulated accordion-type pleats 92 (FIG. 3), each ofwhich includes a plurality of root portions 94 and a plurality of crowns96 for enhancing the space suit simulation of the toy 10 and forreducing the diameter of the limbs, as clearly shown in FIGURE 3 for leg22, to facilitate bending of the associated joints 32, 36, 42 and 46.

In use, the toy 10 may be bent to a number of different positions, asshown in FIG. 4 for the arm 26, by bending the soft wire portions of theassociated armature members 66 and 74 at associated joints 32, 36, 42and 46. Unwanted bending between the joints is prevented by associatedrigid members 52, 70, 72, and 82. The spherical members 84 preventassociated ends 78 of the armature members 74 from piercing the bottomof the foot 38.

It is an important feature of the invention that unwanted relativerotation between the arms 24, 26 and their associated rigid members 70,72 and between the legs 20, 22 and their associated rigid members 80, 82is prevented. This may be accomplished by providing each of the rigidmembers 70, 72, 80 and 82 with lateral extensions 100.

It is also an important feature of the invention that relative rotationbetween the rigid members 70, 72, 80 and 82 and their associatedarmature members 66 and 74, respectively, is prevented. This may beaccomplished by flattening a portion of the armature members 66,.74where they are encompassed by their associated rigid members to providelateral projections 102 on associated armature members 66 and 74.,

In addition, relative rotation between the ends 64 of the armaturemember 66 and the chest plate 52 is prevented by fiattening the ends 64to produce lateral pro jections 104 thereon. The projections 104 maybecome,

firmly embedded in the chest plate 52 during a suitable moldingoperation. Also, the ends 7 6 of armature members 74 are flattened inlike manner to produce lateral projections 105-.

Referring now to FIGS. 5-9, a modified pliable figure toy of the presentinvention, generally designated 10a, includes a head 12a, a neck 14a, achest 16a, a trunk 18a, a pair of legs 20a, 22a and a pair of arms 24a,26a. Each arm 24a, 2612 includes a hand 28a, a forearm 3011, an elbowjoint 32a and an upper arm 34a and is connected to the chest 16a by ashoulder joint 36a.

Each leg 20a, 22a includes a lower leg portion 40a, a knee joint 42a, anupper leg portion 44a and a hip joint 46a.

The toy 10a also includes an armature means 50a which may be embedded inthe toy 10a by positioning the armature means 50a in a suitable mold(not shown) before molding the toy 10a therein by conventional injectionmolding techniques or the like. The armature 50a includes a chest plate52a having an upstanding neck post 106 provided thereon for receivingthe head 12a and the neck 14a.

The armature means 50a also includes a one-piece, softwire,non-resilient armature 66a having a mid-portion 108 embedded in thechest plate 52a and prevented from rotating with respect thereto by aflattened section 110 forming lateral projections 112 on the mid-portion108. The armature 6611 includes opposed ends, 114 which may be embeddedin associate-d hands 28a, a pair of bendable elbow portions 68a and apair of bendable shoulder portions 69a which may be embedded inassociated arms 24a, 26a for maintaining the elbow joints 32a and theshoulder joints 36a, respectively, in bent positions. Unwanted bendingof the upper arms 34a and the forearm-s 30a is prevented by associatedupper and lower rigid members 70a and 72a, respectively. Relativerotation between the members 70a and 72a and their associated arms 24a,26a is prevented by providing lateral flanges 10011 on each of themembers 79a, 72a. Relative rotation between the armature 66a andassociated members 70a, 72a is prevented by flattened sections 102a ofarmature 66a, thereby forming lateral flanges 116 which become embeddedin associated members 70a, 72a during the formation thereof by suitablemolding operations. During such molding operations, a spherical member118 may be formed on each end 114 of the armature 660. Each sphericalmember 118 carries a lateral flange 120 and a lateral tab 122 forpreventing relative rotation between the spherical member 118 and anassociated hand 28a after the armature 66a has been embedded inassociated arms 24a, 26a. The spherical member 118 also prevents theends 114 from rupturing associated hands 28a during use of the toy 19aby a child user. Each tab 122 may be used to support the armature means50a in a mold (not shown) during the molding operation which embeds thearmature means 50a in the toy a. Each tab 122 may then be broken awayfrom the mold (not shown) leaving a jagged edge 124 embedded within anassociated hand 28a.

The armature means 50a also includes a one-piece, soft- Wire,non-resilient armature 74a comprising an inverted V-shaped member havinga bight portion 76a embedded in the chest plate 52a and depending arms126 which become embedded in the trunk 18a and associated legs a, 22:!during the molding operation which forms the toy 10a. The arms 126include lower ends 78a, each of which carries a simulated space boot1'28 forming a foot 33a and the lower leg portion 40a on the toy 10a.Each boot 128 includes an upper end 130 which is provided with anannular flange 132 for keeping the soft pliable material 134 forming thelower end of associated legs 20a, 22a from working up on the lower ends780 during use of the toy 10a by a child user. Each boot 128 and theupper ends 130 thereof prevent unwanted bending of the armature 74::below associated knee joints 42a. Unwanted bending of the upper legportions 44a is prevented by associated rigid members 80a which alsoinclude lateral flanges 1053a for preventing relative rotation betweenassociated rigid members 80a and their associated upper leg portions44a. Relative rotation between the arms 126 and rigid members 80a isprevented by providing lateral flanges 102a on members 80a which becomeembedded in associated rigid members 8911 during the formation thereofby a suitable molding operation.

Relative rotation between the boots 12 8 and associated arms 126 isprevented by lateral flanges 102a formed on the lower end 78b ofassociated arms 126 by flattening the lower ends 78b before the arms 126are embedded in associated boots 128. The toy 10a may be supported on asuitable base member (not shown) by an annular flange 136 provided onthe bottom of each boot 128.

While the particular figure toy herein shown and described in detail isfully capable of attaining the objects and providing the advantageshereinbefore stated, it is to be understood that it is merelyillustrative of the presently preferred embodiment of the invention andthat no limitations are intended to the details of construction ordesign herein shown other than as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination with a figure toy having a torso and pliable limbsjoined to said torso, said limbs including shoulder, elbow, hip and kneejoints, improved armature means comprising:

soft wire support means embedded in said limbs and extending throughsaid joints for maintaining said limbs in bent positions only at saidjoints; and

rigid members aflixed to said support means and embedded in said figuretoy between said joints for preventing the bending of said limbs betweensaid joints, said rigid members including means preventing relativerotation between said limbs and said rigid mem bers, said support meansincluding means preventing relative rotation between said support meansand said rigid members.

2. A combination as stated in claim 1 wherein said rigid members includea T-shaped chest plate having a stem portion extending along the majoraxis of said torso and a cross bar portion, the ends of said cross barportion being positioned adjacent said shoulder joints, said soft wiresupport means including an end portion connected to each of said ends ofsaid cross bar portion and an elongated portion extending through anassociated shoulder joint, said soft wire support means also includingsoft wire members connected to said stem portion and extending througheach of said hip joints.

3. A combination as stated in claim 1 wherein said figure toy is moldedfrom a pliable material and is shaped to simulate a space man wearing aspace suit and wherein said joints include molded, simulatedaccordion-type pleats formed integrally with said limbs and said torsoduring a molding operation, said simulated pleats including rootportions and crown portions for reducing the diameter of said limbs onlyat said joints to facilitate the bending of said limbs at said joints.

4. A combination as stated in claim 1 wherein said ri-gid membersinclude a chest plate having an upstanding neck post provided thereon,said chest plate being embedded in said torso with said neck postextending exteriorly thereof for supporting a head on said torso.

5. A combination as stated in claim 1 wherein said limbs include a pairof legs simulating human legs having feet and including magnet meansembedded in at least one of said feet for maintaining said figure toy inposition on a magnetizable base member.

6. A combination as stated in claim 1 wherein said armature meansincludes simulated boots connected to said support means and extendingexteriorly of said limbs.

7. A combination as stated in claim 6 wherein said simulated bootsinclude annular flange means for connecting said toy to a base member.

8. In combination with a figure toy having a torso and pliable limbsjoined to said torso, said figure toy being molded from a pliablematerial and being shaped to simulate a spaceman wearing a spacesuit,said limbs including shoulder, elbow, hip and knee joints, improvedarmature means comprising:

soft wire support means embedded in said limbs for maintaining saidlimbs in bent positions only at said joints; and

rigid members affixed to said support means and embedded in said figuretoy between said joints for preventing the bending of said limbs betweensaid joints, said rigid members including means preventing relativerotation between said limbs and said rigid members, said jointsincluding molded, simulated accordion-type pleats formed integrally withsaid limbs and said torso during a molding operation, said simulatedpleats including root portions and crown portions reducing the diameterof said limbs only at said joints to facilitate the bending of saidlimbs at said joints, said rigid members including a separate memberembedded in each of said limbs between each of said joints, said wiresupport means including soft wire members extending through said jointsinto operative association with said separate members, said soft wiremembers including at least one soft wire passing through at least one ofsaid joints and having means provided at sections adjacent each side ofsaid one joint non-rotatably connecting said one wire to 7 8 one of saidseparate members, whereby relative 2,134,974 11/1938 Hurwitz 46--162 Xrotation between said one wire and said one 2,767,517 10/1956 Hooper46-241 rigid member is prevented. 2,845,748 8/1958 Derharn 1- 461523,019,552 2/1962 Schleich 46156 References Clted 5 3,077,697 2/1963 Fry46-241 X UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,284,947 11/1966 Dahl 46-156 1,189,5857/1916 Kruse 46-162 1 993 3 4 4/1935 Dodge 4 -15 -F. BARRY SHAY, PrimaryExaminer.

1. IN COMBINATION WITH A FIGURE TOY HAVING A TORSO AND PLIABLE LIMBSJOINED TO SAID TORSO, SAID LIMBS INCLUDING SHOULDER, ELBOW, HIP AND KNEEJOINTS, IMPROVED ARMATURE MEANS COMPRISING: SOFT WIRE SUPPORT MEANSEMBEDDED IN SAID LIMBS AND EXTENDING THROUGH SAID JOINTS FOR MAINTAININGSAID LIMBS IN BENT POSITIONS ONLY AT SAID JOINTS; AND RIGID MEMBERSAFFIXED TO SAID SUPPORT MEANS AND EMBEDDED IN SAID FIGURE TOY BETWEENSAID JOINTS FOR PREVENTING THE BENDING OF SAID LIMBS BETWEEN SAIDJOINTS, SAID RIGID MEMBERS INCLUDING MEANS PREVENTING RELATIVE ROTATIONBETWEEN SAID LIMBS AND SAID RIGID MEMBERS, SAID SUPPORT MEANS INCLUDINGMEANS PREVENTING RELATIVE ROTATION BETWEEN SAID SUPPORT MEANS AND SAIDRIGID MEMBERS.